Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender pork belly slowly braised in a rich spiced soy glaze, inspired by the mythical Demon King’s robust flavors. This asian-inspired pork ready in about 105 minutes pairs pork belly, soy sauce, dark brown sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 90 min Serves 4 Asian cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Cut 1.5 lbs pork belly into 2-inch chunks. Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in a heavy pot over medium heat and brown the pork belly pieces on all sides for 5 minutes until golden.
  2. Step 2: Add 1/2 cup soy sauce, 3 tbsp dark brown sugar, 2 tbsp sliced ginger, 4 crushed garlic cloves, 2 whole star anise, 1 tsp red chili flakes, and 1 cup water to the pot. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and braise the pork belly for 1 hour 30 minutes until tender and the sauce thickens to a rich glaze. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
  4. Step 4: Remove star anise before serving. Garnish with 2 tbsp sliced green onions and serve with steamed rice or steamed buns.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 105 minutes (15 min prep + 90 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep pork belly from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Braised Demon King's Pork Belly with Spiced Soy Glaze?

Asian pork like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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